What does strenuous mean?
“Strenuous” describes something that demands considerable effort, energy, or determination. It is especially common for physical activity, exercise, work, and efforts: a strenuous walk can leave you tired, while strenuous negotiations can be intellectually demanding. The word often carries a slightly formal tone, but its everyday force is clear and sometimes mildly cautionary. Unlike “difficult,” which can refer to any kind of complexity, “strenuous” emphasizes the amount of exertion involved and often suggests sustained effort. It also has a mildly evaluative edge, implying that the activity is taxing rather than merely challenging. For that reason, it is useful when a speaker wants to convey both effort and intensity without sounding dramatic. The adjective can be modified by “highly” or “physically,” and it commonly appears in phrases referring to demanding activities, exercise, and efforts.
adjectiveRequiring much effort, energy, or determination; demanding and taxing. It can also characterize forceful or vigorous activity, argument, or opposition.
- Requiring a large amount of physical effort, energy, or sustained effort
- Involving forceful or vigorous activity, especially in argument, opposition, or effort
"The climbers faced a strenuous ascent in strong winds and low visibility."
"Regular swimming can be strenuous, but the exercise improves cardiovascular health."
"She made a strenuous objection to the committee's proposal."
From a Latin word meaning “active and vigorous,” strenuous still carries the sense of effort that is energetic, demanding, and hard-fought.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does strenuous come from?
The adjective entered English in the early 17th century from Latin strēnuus, meaning active, vigorous, or diligent. The Latin word is generally connected with a Proto-Indo-European root associated with spreading or stretching, from which English words such as “stretch,” “strict,” “string,” and “astringent” also developed.
Related word forms
How strenuous is actually used
The adjective is common in formal and semi-formal English. It is especially associated with physical activity and demanding tasks, but it can also describe forceful intellectual or verbal opposition.
Easily confused with strenuous
Strenuous means demanding effort, whereas tenuous means weak, insubstantial, or barely holding together.